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annorabrady's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love TJ Klune's writing and dialogue style, and this book is no exception to that love.
This book is a great palate cleanser without being meaningless fluff; there was still a solid story with character development of primary and secondary characters alike, realistic behaviors in unrealistic situations, and worthwhile conflicts.
I will say that Nick's stupidity is both endearing and absolutely obnoxious. Especially when it causes certain plot points to carry on too long for my liking. Though, it's done in a way that makes sense for the character, so it doesn't feel unnecessary.
This book is a great palate cleanser without being meaningless fluff; there was still a solid story with character development of primary and secondary characters alike, realistic behaviors in unrealistic situations, and worthwhile conflicts.
I will say that Nick's stupidity is both endearing and absolutely obnoxious. Especially when it causes certain plot points to carry on too long for my liking. Though, it's done in a way that makes sense for the character, so it doesn't feel unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Outing, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, Death, Kidnapping, Vomit, Drug use, Gaslighting, Murder, and Stalking
abookwormspov's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent
carolined314's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fun queer-centric superhero romp, protagonist has ADHD. Some violence.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Violence, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Kidnapping and Death of parent
franklola's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
btwnprintedpgs's review
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Experimental drug tests on a minor.annoyedhumanoid's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
there's something about men in the TJ Kluniverse (yes, i am proud of myself for that, thank you) that's a lot better than irl (in my experience of course), especially dads… consider it part of the apologetic parents canon: https://www.vox.com/culture/23025832/everything-everywhere-all-at-once-parental-apology-fantasy-turning-red. however, this romanticizing of characters also extends to cops, making for some strong copaganda—especially awkward given the book's release in summer 2020. one of its major themes is the myth of good vs. evil and of black & white thinking, yet this only applies to our fictional superheroes and not the institution of policing we actually live with—no no, the police are always unquestionably "the good guys" 🙃. there's even a moment where we're made to sympathize with a cop in a literal act of police brutality, punching a witness (a witness, not even a suspected perpetrator) for not cooperating. we see how much he was going through at the time; maybe we should extend that understanding to other cops who abuse their power? or, maybe a different superhero story got it right: "with great power comes great responsibility," and as such it's reasonable to expect protection from those whose job it is (supposedly) to "protect and serve". another of Klune's books, The House in the Cerulean Sea, used fantastical metaphor to make a political statement; i can't help but see as a glaring omission how The Extraordinaries falls short in that regard.
big thought out of the way, here are some scattered ones:
big thought out of the way, here are some scattered ones:
- there was a lot of build up and the climax seemed to drag on, but insufficient payoff. (though, at least there was any payoff at all, unlike Fence: Striking Distance. that's not relevant here, i just hold a grudge.)
- for the amount of times the narration described what teenage boys are like, i started to think maybe it was the author trying to convince us that he knew, like "how do you do fellow kids"
- it was genuinely funny
- audiobook reader was top tier 👌
- "I'm young and queer and in a fragile place right now." me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Medical content, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Ableism, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Excrement, Police brutality, Stalking, Vomit, Car accident, Classism, and Drug use
cluckieduck's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Look. I love me some TJ. The Green Creek series is perhaps one of the most beautiful series I’ve ever read so I was really looking forward to starting this newest series. I’m afraid to say, however, that this foray into YA was a bit of a miss.
TJ’s typical humorous, effervescent narration comes to us through the eyes of our lead, Nick, a teen with ADHD who’s life has been divided into the Before & After of his mother’s death. Nick’s had a tough go of things and wishes to be an Extraordinary, this universe’s version of a superhero. There was a lot of borrowing from other universes - a little bit Marvel, a little bit Kick-Ass, and some others sprinkled here & there, but in the end it was a very predictable story. That is unless you’re Nick, who has got to be one of the most clueless leads in existence, to his detriment, because he got rather annoying by the end.
I appreciate the voice that TJ gives to queer and neurodivergent characters, but there is a fine line between representation and stereotyping. Here they’re borderline played for jokes (ex. the angry, Black baby-dyke who’ll kick everyone’s ass if they look at her wrongly & our lead’s ADHD is maxed-out to the point of him being dumb) and it’s a bit cringy. I’m apprehensive about how Nick’s ADHD will be handledalongside his telekinesis. I hope his symptoms don’t get brushed aside as his latent powers because that would be a major disservice to including his diagnosis in the first place .
All in all, it was an ok read and I’ll continue the series, but probably my least favourite of TJ’s.
TJ’s typical humorous, effervescent narration comes to us through the eyes of our lead, Nick, a teen with ADHD who’s life has been divided into the Before & After of his mother’s death. Nick’s had a tough go of things and wishes to be an Extraordinary, this universe’s version of a superhero. There was a lot of borrowing from other universes - a little bit Marvel, a little bit Kick-Ass, and some others sprinkled here & there, but in the end it was a very predictable story. That is unless you’re Nick, who has got to be one of the most clueless leads in existence, to his detriment, because he got rather annoying by the end.
I appreciate the voice that TJ gives to queer and neurodivergent characters, but there is a fine line between representation and stereotyping. Here they’re borderline played for jokes (ex. the angry, Black baby-dyke who’ll kick everyone’s ass if they look at her wrongly & our lead’s ADHD is maxed-out to the point of him being dumb) and it’s a bit cringy. I’m apprehensive about how Nick’s ADHD will be handled
All in all, it was an ok read and I’ll continue the series, but probably my least favourite of TJ’s.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Grief, and Cursing
Minor: Vomit, Death, and Death of parent
ktownsend's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
modernmatilda's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
•The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune•
•
•
Friends to lovers is better than enemies to lovers, there I said it!!
•
•
The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune is a JOY and I enjoyed every minute of Nick and his larger-than-life (aka closer-to-home) fanfic about his local superheros/villains. Like House in the Cerulean Sea, the characters are wonderfully loveable and the plot will make you smile until bursting.
•
Also, I'm quickly realizing that my favorite romance troupe is adorable, oblivious, dorky, slightly-curmudgeony main characters 😅
•
•
This book is for anyone who has ever dreamed about being a superhero, has wanted to fall in love with a superhero, or needs a reminder that they are extraordinary enough already.
•
•
Content warnings: homophobia, death of parent, police brutality
•
•
Friends to lovers is better than enemies to lovers, there I said it!!
•
•
The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune is a JOY and I enjoyed every minute of Nick and his larger-than-life (aka closer-to-home) fanfic about his local superheros/villains. Like House in the Cerulean Sea, the characters are wonderfully loveable and the plot will make you smile until bursting.
•
Also, I'm quickly realizing that my favorite romance troupe is adorable, oblivious, dorky, slightly-curmudgeony main characters 😅
•
•
This book is for anyone who has ever dreamed about being a superhero, has wanted to fall in love with a superhero, or needs a reminder that they are extraordinary enough already.
•
•
Content warnings: homophobia, death of parent, police brutality
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Violence
cheye13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was light and fun with some interesting plot twists. A cool premise, reminiscent of The Incredibles. It did get a little repetitive at a point, and I think it could've been very condensed - the dramatic irony stretched out a little too long for my taste, and the scenes with Nick's father felt a bit melodramatic. I'd've preferred a tighter narrative, but it was a fun time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Medical content
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
The main character's father is a policeman and his closest friend is the police chief; something to be aware of if sensitive to